Adaptive athletes will have a chance to try sled hockey in Idaho Falls this weekend
Published at
IDAHO FALLS — Adaptive athletes will get a chance this weekend to have fun on the ice rink in Idaho Falls and try “sled hockey.”
Valley Adaptive Sports, a nonprofit located in Driggs, is teaming up with Idaho Falls Parks & Recreation to bring “Inclusive Ice and Sled Hockey” on Saturday, Nov. 4. It will be at the Joe Marmo/Wayne Lehto Ice Arena from 10:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and is free for participants.
“Sled hockey is designed to be a space where people who need a little bit more equity to play a sport and feel comfortable coming out and be in a supportive environment,” said Nathan Carey, executive director of Valley Adaptive Sports.
So, what is sled hockey? It’s described as players using a sled to play hockey from a seated position. They use sticks with a spike end to propel themselves and play.
Watch the video below to see what sled hockey looks like.
Inclusive skate is designed to provide an opportunity for everybody interested in getting on the ice.
Carey says he is looking forward to bringing sled hockey to the ice rink on Saturday.
“This is a first-time event in Idaho Falls with adaptive athletes — meaning people with developmental or physical disabilities,” he said. “We have been running a sled hockey program in Victor for four years now.”
He told EastIdahoNews.com there are people from Idaho Falls, Rexburg and the Rigby area who have been coming to play sled hockey with Valley Adaptive Sports for the past few years in Victor.
“We wanted to bring that sport and that inclusive model to Idaho Falls so folks can participate in sled hockey and inclusive skating closer to home,” Carey said.
There will be nine sleds available with pads, sticks, helmets and hockey pucks. There are also 12 “skate helpers” for people learning to skate or with balance issues.
“We are excited to be working with the Idaho Falls Parks & Rec Department,” Carey said. “Idaho Falls Youth Hockey Association has also been incredibly generous with loaning the sled hockey sleds to our programming.”
Additionally, there will be other opportunities to try sled hockey in January, February and March, too.
Carey encourages people to bring warm clothes and says it will be a good time.
“The best part about inclusive ice and sled hockey is that you can use the people around you and the team to get everyone on the ice if they want to be there and get the wind in their face,” he said. “They can either push themselves or they can be pushed.”
Valley Adaptive Sports doesn’t just provide opportunities for sled hockey but has partnered with Teton Rock Gym, Grand Targhee Resort for adaptive skiing, and Teton Valley Aquatics to do swimming lessons. Click here to learn more.
